The Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo, comprised of clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka, has been praised by critics as “clairvoyant collaborators” and celebrated for performances that illuminate and elevate the clarinet-piano repertoire. Since forming their duo in 2012, they have appeared on distinguished American concert series including the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, the Parrish Art Museum Salon Series, the Northeast Kingdom Classical Series, and the Black Hills Chamber Music Society, earning an impressive record of instant re-engagements.

Known for their imaginative programming and commitment to bringing superb yet seldom-heard clarinet chamber works to wider audiences, the Duo also performs regularly on historical instruments for Music from the Frederick Collection. Their debut album Epilogues received international acclaim for its artistry and insight, featuring the final chamber works of Brahms, Saint-Saëns, and Poulenc.

Since 2018, the Duo has additionally collaborated with distinguished cellists as Trio Confero, with performances praised for their expressive depth and refined ensemble playing.

Confero is a Latin verb that means “to bring together, unite, and contribute”. The musicians feel this precisely fits the Duo’s mission statement. With remarkable works written by such giants of the past as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruch, Faure, and Glinka as well as stellar composers of the 20th century and beyond, such as Nino Rota, Robert Muczynski, John Ireland, Isang Yun and Magnus Lindberg, the possibilities of programming are endless.

Belarusian-born American clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov [pronounced: sh-TRY-koff] is quickly gaining renown as an artist of remarkable charisma and extraordinary musicianship, and has been hailed for “clarity that’s viscerally breathtaking” and “effortless…quicksilver legato” (Lucid Culture, NYC). About his recent duo recital Shelter Island Reporter (NY) wrote: “[Duo] enchanted the audience with their technique and style and generated standing ovations from the sold-out crowd”

A recipient of the Artists International New York Debut Award, Maksim presented his Carnegie Hall debut recital at Weill Hall in 2007. A passionate advocate of clarinet music, he is on a continuous quest of expanding his instrument’s repertoire, bringing to light rarely performed masterpieces by forgotten masters.

In  past  seasons, Maksim  appeared  with the  Amadeus Festival Orchestra and  gave  numerous concerts around the country with appearances on the

Chamber Music Society of Maryland, Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ), Parrish Art Museum Series (NY), Black Hills Chamber Music Society (SD), Cedarhurst Chamber Music (IL), Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society (CA), Rochester Institute of Technology Artist Series, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (IL), Shorter University’s Guest Artist Series (GA), and Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ) among many others.

Maksim is a prizewinner of many competitions including the Dmytro Bida International Woodwind Competition (Lviv, Ukraine), Brahms Chamber Music Competition (Gdansk, Poland), and “Salieri - Zinetti” International Chamber Music Competition (Verona, Italy).

Maksim Shtrykov began clarinet studies at age nine in his native Belarus. He later became the first Belarusian woodwind player to be accepted to the Juilliard School where he was awarded a degree of Master of Music as a scholarship student in the celebrated studio of Charles Neidich.

Hailed by international press as a pianist whose “readings are very convincing” (Fanfare Magazine) and for her “exceptionally high technical level” (General-Anzeiger Bonn), Misuzu Tanaka has established herself as an artist of remarkable individuality.

She has performed in prestigious concert venues throughout the world, from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and Mozart’s Museum at Villa Bertramka in Prague to Alice Tully Hall in New York, and is also a respected regular performer for Music from the Frederick Collection, a leading North-American venue for performance on historical instruments.

Her debut album, “Misuzu Tanaka in Concert”, which was recorded live on the Concertant Classics label, features works by Leoš Janáček and J. S. Bach, two composers who have been a constant source of her musical inspiration. Additionally, she has released a debut album “Epilogues” with clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov, which focuses on four clarinet sonatas that are among the last works of three leading composers – Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns and Francis Poulenc.

Born in London, United Kingdom where she began her piano lessons at age 5, she then continued her studies in Japan and in the United States with Martin Canin at The Juilliard School. Her Masters and Doctoral degrees are from University of Michigan where she was a full scholarship recipient and devoted much time to the study and performance of the works of Leoš Janáček, which led to further studies with Miroslav Brejcha and the late Ivan Moravec in the Czech Republic.